Eswatini activates Udacity Coding Programme

The Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology has officially launched the activation of the Udacity Coding Programme, a digital skills initiative aimed at equipping Emaswati with globally competitive technology expertise.

Speaking during a press conference held at the ministry’s offices yesterday, ICT Minister Savannah Maziya described the programme as a “giant step forward” for the country, noting that it signified Eswatini’s commitment to keeping pace with the fast-evolving digital world.

“This step says to the world Eswatini will not be left behind. The future of Emaswati belongs in the digital world and today we place the keys in your hands,” said Maziya.

The minister expressed profound gratitude to the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), one of the most digitally advanced nations globally, for its partnership and support in making the programme possible.

She emphasised that the initiative is not only about learning to code, but about opening doors to global opportunities that once seemed distant.

Maziya highlighted that the programme would be free, self-paced and accessible via mobile phones or computers. On average, the training takes seven weeks to complete, after which participants will receive a certificate of completion, enabling access to further training and employment opportunities.

Courses Offered

• Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals

• Data Science Fundamentals

• Programming Fundamentals

• Android Developer Fundamentals

“These programmes will do more than teach code. They will instill creativity, problem-solving and resilience, which are the fundamental building blocks of innovation,” Maziya explained.

She added that these skills would allow Emaswati to compete for remote jobs in the global digital marketplace, build websites, apps, and businesses, as well as design home-grown solutions to community challenges.

To ensure inclusivity, the ministry partnered with the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) to manage registrations through a user-friendly website: https://codereswatini.gov.sz.

Eligible participants can sign up using their national ID or email address, select a course of interest, and immediately begin their digital learning journey.

The minister also called on stakeholders to support the programme:

• Internet Service Providers (ISPs) → to subsidise or zero-rate data costs

• Private Sector → to sponsor devices & mentorship

• Community Leaders → to transform schools and halls into hubs of digital learning

RSTP Acting CEO Nomvula Shongwe-Gulwako welcomed the initiative, assuring the nation that RSTP would monitor progress closely to identify areas of improvement.

“We encourage Emaswati to join and complete these courses. Already, one participant has been certified and many more must seize this platform to transform their lives and ensure that Eswatini is part of the digital revolution,” she said.

Maziya concluded by assuring Emaswati that the Udacity Coding Programme was more than a training initiative — it was a promise that no dream is too big, no opportunity too far, and no citizen will be left behind.

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